Sola Scriptura!

Written by Zhey Chua |Posted on September 30, 2009 | Comments

I just got off Facebook, mercifully, unscathed after an exchange with a Catholic priest. I did not mean to engage him in a debacle of words but he seemed to think that I was and golly, the fangs! He was almost raving mad about my stand on sola scriptura. I have not read much books and articles about sola scriptura so I am not that keen on the subject however, I would like to share with you here why I still stand by my belief that the Bible/Scripture alone is the authority above all. The following is my response to the priest after he pressed me to present Scriptural basis on sola scriptura. Of course these verses were not what he wanted, he wanted me to quote from a verse that directly has the words “sola scriptura” on them and we all know he’s gotta be kidding me to demand such a thing, isn’t it? So anyway, this article is open for rebukes and corrections so feel free to drop me a line.

Here goes:

First off, Ephesians 1: 15-23 says:

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

vv 21 is clear, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”

Also, Colossians says further:

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

So, who is the authority above all? God, right?

Next, if God is the authority above all, how do we know His will, His commandments, His statutes? God does not talk to us anymore, He no longer walks with us the way He did before the fall of man.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

Is there another way God communicates to us today other than Scriptures? None.

Now let’s not digress from the subject of who is in authority so let’s inch back a bit. Romans 13:1 exhorts us to

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

That is also clear, St. Paul admonishes everyone to submit to authorities that have been instituted by God, therefore, it still all boils down to the only authority above all, GOD.

Again, so if God is the authority above all, how do we know His statutes? Scripture, for it is the only link we have to God.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. – Romans 15:4

Paul did not imply any other means to get instructions from or any other authority aside from Scriptures.

Yes, I will never find the words “sola scriptura” on the Bible, just as I would never find the word “Trinity” there, but it is clear, very clear, that the emphasis is greatly on the sole authority of the bible – it being the Word of God- above all.

Sola Scriptura. When my pastor speaks on the Word of God, I examine the bible and compare his teachings to what the Bible says. If I see something amiss, I approach my pastor and ask, who graciously in turn entertains my question and if he sees that something he said was indeed amiss, he apologizes and goes about correcting his mistake. Why? Because my pastor knows he is fallible. Because he knows that only the Word of God is inerrant. Why? Because it is what every Christian must do, to be like the Bereans meditating Scriptures day and night and examining to see if human teachings are in line with it. (Acts 17)

Jesus Christ in John 5 said this:

If you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?

Believing includes accepting that only the Word of God is the authority above all authorities.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” – John 5: 39

Comments

vsandiq

some books by Bart Ehrman may be a good read to, i guess, "enrich" the current discussion.

one would be "Lost Christianities" and the other one is "Misquoting Jesus."

It would be tempting to say that Evangelical Christians are homogeneous in their claims to "Sola Scriptura" but matters are not quite as simple when we take into consideration the textual-critical processes of canon-building.

Sola Scriptura has its roots in a particular time and history. It is not a contextless theology. It is theology born out of necessity. And once other studies and finds start pouring in, I think it necessary to review the theology, also for our guidance and edification.

here's a link para to download one journal issue na pwedeng basahin for additional info sa ongoing discussion ng matters concerning innerancy, and hence sola scriptura.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/tgc-documents/journal-i...

I would appreciate emails if you do need to reply to my post.

vsandiq@yahoo.com

Warren

thank you for the link, this would be helpful.

vsandiq

so, which bible version or bible translation is sola scriptura? :-)

Warren

the verses in this post explain the concept of sola scriptura.

henrysiy

Hello Zhay,
Can you kindly post the reply of the priest to this article?
Regards,
Henry Siy

Zhey

Mr. Siy,

Mr. Siy,

I have nothing personal against this priest, but I have to be honest with you, going back to this email and just glancing at the way he belittled and labeled me or my faith as satanic, heretic and an apostasy is extremely traumatic.

This priest should learn more from the Bible, especially from the Pauline epistles:

"2Ti 2:24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, "

"1Ti 3:2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money." (stress: not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome)

"1Ti 3:7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. " (with the way he talked to me, an outsider, he damaged his reputation severely)

Thank you for your time. I sent you a copy of the material via private email. I would rather not publish his responses here on my blog, it will not accomplish anything and instead expose his heart even more. Besides all that, his points do not merit a space on this website, they are merely gibberish and vain attempts to show me that sola scriptura is unbiblical. I do not know why you have requested for a copy of the material since you can just as easily have the priest furnish you with one but whatever that is, I hope and pray that it will be for the betterment of all.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Hazel Chua

henrysiy

Dear Mrs. Hazel Chua,

Please do not preempt the intelligence of your blog reader. I posted my request for justice in your reporting. Christian charity requires you to be fair by putting the rebuttal of the priest.

You did not tell the whole story, it was your husband who posted an aggressive email in the Facebook of Ms. N and questioned her faith. The priest just defended Ms. N on her posting on Angels. You then sent this private email to the priest on Sola Scriptura. I know the response but you have the moral obligation to post the reply.

Indeed, the greatest scandal in Christianity is the division of Christians (especially following the reformation when Christianity splintered into many denominational and sectarian groups) which is why it very important to know the history of your faith all the way from the foundation of apostles (Eph 2:19-20) and throughout the centuries up to the present time.

Let us make the prayer of Jesus ours, that all may be one (John 17).

I truly admire your zeal but please be more discerning when you are dealing with other Christian groups especially the Catholic Church.

If you have other questions, we are willing to sit down with you and your husband for a friendly dialogue.

Sincerely,
Henry Siy

PS. Praying for you and your husband.

Zhey

Hello Mr. Heny Siy,

I'm sorry to disappoint you but it is my conviction not to publish the response in question for the foremost reason that it is not edifying in any way. My husband and I are here to preach Christ, not to engage in useless debates.

As for your claim: "You did not tell the whole story, it was your husband who posted an aggressive email in the Facebook of Ms. N and questioned her faith." - You might want to check out the thread in question and examine OBJECTIVELY if there was any point in that thread where Warren questioned Claire's faith.

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. (Titus 3:9-11)

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. (2 Tim 2:14)

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. (2 Tim 2:23)

We have already shown you the biblical basis for all of our claims, be it in regards to praying to angels or on sola scriptura, you have rejected us therefore it is time for us to shake the dust off our feet and move on (Matt. 10:14).

I would like to inform you that I am now blocking you from making anymore comments on our website so please don't be surprised if any of your following comments don't get published.

(John 8:47) "Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:1-7

Anything you want to ask about, the answer can be found on the verses given above. If you persist in challenging us, it only shows that you don't understand the verses given and all the more reason for us not to entertain you anymore.

Isaiah

I've crossed swords with many Roman Catholics before, priests included, and I can quite safely say that if the priest asked you to show him the exact words "Sola Scriptura" in the Bible, he's just out to pick a fight. Whatever you give him that is scripturally sound and that which supports Sola Scriptura will be rejected.

In such cases, I'd ask the other person to show me where in the Bible it says to pray to saints, Mary, the doctrine of purgatory, or even venerate relics. They usually have one or two, or even quote the example of how Solomon gave reverence to his mother, but those are way-off eisegesis, LOL!

Give him the Gospel, then go your way. It's a waste of time to debate with those who come not with a heart to learn, but to pick a fight.

Zhey

Kapatid, thanks for the advice and for your prayers. The experience was painful and it really felt like I was looking at the very gates of Hades. It leaves a very bitter after taste in my mouth to think that they fight so hard against sola scriptura because of power-hungering.